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Women's Swimming & Diving
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Milana Socha Hired as Head Coach
5/31/2022 3:00:00 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
The former Big Green assistant returns to head up the swimming and diving teams
HANOVER, N.H. — Dartmouth interim Director of Athletics and Recreation Peter Roby '79 announced the hiring of Milana Socha as the next head coach of the Big Green men's and women's swimming and diving teams.
"We as a department are extemely excited to welcome Milana back to Dartmouth!" Roby said. "She believes in the college and our students, and as an impressive leader and educator, she will make a lasting impact not only on our students but her colleagues as well."
An assistant coach for three years at Dartmouth from 2017-20, Socha spent the past two years as an assistant coach for the nationally ranked teams at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She served as the Wildcats' lead coach for the butterfly and mid-distance training groups, coordinated all travel logistics and recruited high-caliber men and women both in the pool and in the classroom. In addition, Socha provided leadership for the team's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committe, and was a member of the Big Ten Equality Coalition as well as the athletic department's JEDI (justice, equity, diversity and inclusion) Education & Engagement Advisory Group.
"Milana is an outstanding hire for Dartmouth," said Katie Robinson, the Director of Swimming and Diving at Northwestern. "She has been paramount to our success here at Northwestern for the past two years in every aspect, from recruiting top-ranked classes to coaching numerous school records and NCAA performances. Additionally, and more importantly, she does it all while putting the person before the student-athlete by truly caring for each member on our team and exhibiting a high level of integrity. She will be a phenomenal leader at Dartmouth, and we wish her all the best."
During her original stint in Hanover, Socha served under former head coach Jamie Holder. Not only did she support the student-athletes on the team in and out of the pool by coordinating team training and practice planning, recruiting and fundraising, but she also implemented the "Why We Coach" program through Dartmouth Peak Performance.
"Thank you to Peter Roby for his support of the swimming & diving program and his trust in my ability to lead this team," Socha said. "Dartmouth is truly a special place with an incredible sense of community and student-athletes that chase excellence in all that they do. I am confident in the team's potential to achieve great things in the future and look forward to bringing my passion and drive to the responsibility of this position. I'm excited to be returning to 'The Woods' and look forward to beginning this new chapter with the team."
Prior to arriving in Hanover, Socha spent the 2016-17 season as an assistant for the women's swimming and diving team at the University of Toledo. She was in charge of recruiting, social media, dryland and spring training, coordinating travel and fundraising. In addition to her normal duties, she also coached a high school boys' team during the summer.
From 2014-16, she was the head assistant women's coach at Smith College. She was also a teaching fellow for the undergraduate exercise physiology course and the interim strength and conditioning coach for four teams. In 2016, she received the CSCAA Jean Freeman Scholarship for her exceptional contributions to the swimming and diving program.
The Chesterton, Indiana, native was a four-year letter winner at Carleton College in Minnesota, graduating with a degree in geology in 2014. Socha served as captain for the 2013-14 season and earned NCAA Division III All-America honorable mention honors in 2014. She was a 13-time all-conference selection in swimming and also lettered in cross country and track and field for two years. Socha earned her master's in exercise science and sports studies from Smith in 2016.
"We as a department are extemely excited to welcome Milana back to Dartmouth!" Roby said. "She believes in the college and our students, and as an impressive leader and educator, she will make a lasting impact not only on our students but her colleagues as well."
An assistant coach for three years at Dartmouth from 2017-20, Socha spent the past two years as an assistant coach for the nationally ranked teams at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She served as the Wildcats' lead coach for the butterfly and mid-distance training groups, coordinated all travel logistics and recruited high-caliber men and women both in the pool and in the classroom. In addition, Socha provided leadership for the team's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committe, and was a member of the Big Ten Equality Coalition as well as the athletic department's JEDI (justice, equity, diversity and inclusion) Education & Engagement Advisory Group.
"Milana is an outstanding hire for Dartmouth," said Katie Robinson, the Director of Swimming and Diving at Northwestern. "She has been paramount to our success here at Northwestern for the past two years in every aspect, from recruiting top-ranked classes to coaching numerous school records and NCAA performances. Additionally, and more importantly, she does it all while putting the person before the student-athlete by truly caring for each member on our team and exhibiting a high level of integrity. She will be a phenomenal leader at Dartmouth, and we wish her all the best."
During her original stint in Hanover, Socha served under former head coach Jamie Holder. Not only did she support the student-athletes on the team in and out of the pool by coordinating team training and practice planning, recruiting and fundraising, but she also implemented the "Why We Coach" program through Dartmouth Peak Performance.
"Thank you to Peter Roby for his support of the swimming & diving program and his trust in my ability to lead this team," Socha said. "Dartmouth is truly a special place with an incredible sense of community and student-athletes that chase excellence in all that they do. I am confident in the team's potential to achieve great things in the future and look forward to bringing my passion and drive to the responsibility of this position. I'm excited to be returning to 'The Woods' and look forward to beginning this new chapter with the team."
Prior to arriving in Hanover, Socha spent the 2016-17 season as an assistant for the women's swimming and diving team at the University of Toledo. She was in charge of recruiting, social media, dryland and spring training, coordinating travel and fundraising. In addition to her normal duties, she also coached a high school boys' team during the summer.
From 2014-16, she was the head assistant women's coach at Smith College. She was also a teaching fellow for the undergraduate exercise physiology course and the interim strength and conditioning coach for four teams. In 2016, she received the CSCAA Jean Freeman Scholarship for her exceptional contributions to the swimming and diving program.
The Chesterton, Indiana, native was a four-year letter winner at Carleton College in Minnesota, graduating with a degree in geology in 2014. Socha served as captain for the 2013-14 season and earned NCAA Division III All-America honorable mention honors in 2014. She was a 13-time all-conference selection in swimming and also lettered in cross country and track and field for two years. Socha earned her master's in exercise science and sports studies from Smith in 2016.
Highlights: Dartmouth Plays of the Week, Feb. 20, 2023
Monday, February 20
Interview: Coach Conversation with Milana Socha, Nov. 16, 2022
Tuesday, November 15
Interview: Coaches Confidential: Jesse Moore, June 22, 2021
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Feature: Sophie Smith on her experience with The 50, Jan. 29, 2019
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